clumsy

clum·sy

adj \ˈkləm-zē\

clum·si·erclum·si·est

Definition of CLUMSY

1

a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace <clumsy fingers> b : lacking tact or subtlety <a clumsy joke>

2

: awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy <a clumsy contraption>

— clum·si·ly \-zə-lē\ adverb

— clum·si·ness \-zē-nəs\ noun

Examples of CLUMSY

1. I'm sorry about spilling your wine—that was very clumsy of me.
2. I have very clumsy hands and tend to drop things.
3. She made a clumsy attempt at a joke.

Origin of CLUMSY

probably from obsolete English clumse benumbed with cold

First Known Use: circa 1598

Related to CLUMSY

Synonyms: awkward, butterfingered, cack-handed [British], graceless, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, heavy-handed, left-handed, maladroit, unhandy, all thumbs

Antonyms: deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, sure-handed

Related Words: uncoordinated; bunglesome, bungling, gauche, inept, inexpert, unskilled, unskillful

Near Antonyms: expert, masterly, skilled, skillful; coordinated

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at awkward